Stern Handles

[crimmins]

Has anyone installed stern handles by the swim ladder to facilitate boarding the sailboat from a dinghy? My wife has problems going from the dinghy to the swim platform. Handles would be more secure and make for easier movement from the dinghy to the sailboat. Thanks for any suggestions you can provide. Tim Crimmins crimmins39@gmail.com

[Noah]

MK I or II and what year?

[britinusa]

No Handles on Eximius.

When we bring the dink back to the boat, we lift the ladder out of the water (extension is secured with a line) and lower it into the dink over the front end.

Then the dink occupants can step right onto the ladder and can grab the upper rungs of the ladder then the railings. It makes boarding both the boat and the dink much easier.

We also have a swim ladder folding telescoping extension bolted to the bottom rung of the main ladder. The extension is normally tied in position closed. We just release the extension tie when we want to use it to board from the water.

Paul

[bayates]

We use the stabilization stanchions from the dinghy as hand rails.

[mark_53]

Wrap the inflatable dinghy bow line around the top portion of the fold down ladder and hold dinghy against the stern. Flip the lower portion of the ladder onto the inflatable's bow. Passengers are able to hold onto ladder to board.

[tommyt]

Tim,

With a swim platform I assume you must have a MKII. MKI ladder ideas would probably work for yoy. Your dink configuration also plays into this. I see no reason not to find a set of nice stainless handles that could make your wife happier and still look nice. Making the Admiral happy is the key.

[mark_53]

I've seen a stainless bathroom grab rail used on boats. Available at home improvement stores.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Franklin-Brass-16-in-x-1-1-2-in-Concealed-Screw-Grab-Bar-in-Stainless-5616/202839015

[KWKloeber]

Tim,

I installed s/s grab handles on a J/120 companionway for a not-so-agile owner.  I used ones similar to these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Arrival-Stainless-Steel-11-Boat-Polished-Boat-Marine-Grab-Handle-Handrail-/231919841986

I considered the box box grab rails, but being "handicap code" they are 1-1/2" dia, I felt very uncomfortable, and impossible to lock fingers around them. 

I chose to avoid handles with integral hidden bolt studs -- I felt thru bolting a flange was more positive and safe.  I was pleased with the look and quality and she was very happy with the result  (tooting my own horn.)

They come in different lengths -- do an eBay search.


kk

[Mick Laver]

Hi Tim
Swim step = Mk II. Ladder in the dink would be quite awkward I think.

Is the dinghy tied sideways, or is your wife trying to board over the bow? We've always found it much easier to tie up sideways, tying the dink's bow and stern lines to either side of the ladder. (Length-adjusted lines with snap hooks can make this a lot quicker.)

If you are already tying sideways you also might try our decidedly low-tech solution: we have a short piece of line with a knot at the end tied to the top rail. It hangs a bit below the lower rail, and it's easy to grab from the dinghy. It's amazing how much stability you get by grabbing something that is firmly attached to the "big" boat, and since it is attached high you can use it to pull yourself up as you step out of the dinghy. It's worth a try!

[Bill Shreeves]

We also have a swim ladder folding telescoping extension bolted to the bottom rung of the main ladder. The extension is normally tied in position closed. We just release the extension tie when we want to use it to board from the water.

Paul - I'd really appreciate any information you might have on the extension.  It sounds like something I'v wondered about.


-Bill

[Jim Hardesty]

This isn't very shippy but I do use it where I want a temporary hand hold.  It's a suction cup grab bar.  Mine was bought from a boat store.  This is the same or similar
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Instant-Bathroom-and-Household-Safety-Bar/16516635
I've used it for cleaning the waterline and such.  I even remember picking up my hot water tank with it.  You don't have a signature with your boat year and model so don't know if you have a good place to stick it.  May be worth a try before you drill and mount one properly.
Jim

[britinusa]

We also have a swim ladder folding telescoping extension bolted to the bottom rung of the main ladder. The extension is normally tied in position closed. We just release the extension tie when we want to use it to board from the water.

Paul - I'd really appreciate any information you might have on the extension.  It sounds like something I'v wondered about.


-Bill

Here's what I purchased: http://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?name=windline-telescoping-drop-ladder&path=-1|7504|2290202|2290203&id=147446

Here's the best pic I have of the install method.

Paul

[Bill Shreeves]

Thanks Paul!  The pics are a big help too.  Looks like a nice solution to get out of the water if your not double jointed.  I currently attach a  single plastic boarding step that attaches with rope and a clip and hangs down a half-foot or so.  I think its typically attached to the side stanchions to assist boarding from the side of the boat.  Its better than nothing but not a good solution.

[britinusa]

The ladder idea was Admiral's, when she saw me try to climb out of the water with just the original ladder, she informed me that I had to do something about that. I knew already, there's no way she could get out using the ladder.

It's a bit of a strain to pull the ladder up when the extension is extended, but not huge. I just lean over the transom to get some leverage and up they swing, not too quickly in order to allow the extension to drain overboard rather than into the cockpit seat area.

Paul

[Ed Shankle]

Does the stern pic of a c35 on page 30 of the fall Mainsheet help to visualize a solution?
Regards,
Ed